Police still searching for arsonist

No arrests had been made as of late Tuesday in connection with the four fires, all deemed arson, which rocked downtown St. Augustine in the pre-dawn hours Monday.

The St. Augustine Police Department has been joined by the local fire department, the State Fire Marshal's Office and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms to help them search through leads from ongoing interviews they have been conducting, police said Tuesday.

"This group of investigators will continue to follow all leads that come about in this case," said St. Augustine Police spokesperson Mark Samson.

Firefighters were called out to four separate fires, beginning at 3:25 a.m. Monday morning. The fires were set maliciously at 45 Cordova Street, 34 Cordova Street, 17 Saragossa Street and 91 Park Place in Linconville. All four homes were unoccupied, and there were no injuries related to the fire but there was significant property loss.

Neighbors watched from across the street as the over 100-year-old, two-story wood home at 91 Park Place burned to the ground. Firefighters battled the blaze at 45 Cordova Street valiantly, but Fire Marshal Bob Growick said that century-old building also was probably a total loss.

Firefighters did catch the fire at 34 Cordova Street before there was significant damage, Growick said. Firefighters managed to knock down the fire set beneath the two-story home on Saragossa Street early as well, but flames did manage to climb up a wall and damage the home, Growick said.

A video surveillance tape from a local business has been obtained, police said, that showed a person of interest walk by the Cordova Street fire. Residents and tourists watching the fire on Cordova Street have provided additional leads.

Residents should remain vigilant until the arsonist is apprehended, said Growick, who added officials are still hoping people will call the tip line at 1-888-277-8477 if they have anything to report.

Tuesday was business not quite as usual, according to Laura High-Smith, co-owner of the Chocolate Turtle at 47 Cordova Street. High-Smith said they were able to open the doors for business despite a broken window and some charred spots on the roof.

"The people have been wonderful, they've been coming in just to support us," High-Smith said.

The dessert eatery just opened two months ago and High-Smith said the brand new cedar strips and new siding on the building along with the brave efforts of the firefighters saved the building from being consumed.

People showed up from near and far to show their support, Tuesday, High-Smith said.

"It's just been touching," she said.

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